Matched set

This one has been in the works for a while now. I kept procrastinating and debating about some of the simple assembly steps. In the end I chose to get it together and take my lumps as learning steps for future projects. The idea was to match the table to the picture window that my wife picked up in Indonesia. She later changed her mind to the darker legs.

Construction is just mortise and tenon on the base. I fastened the top with some figure-8 steel jobbers. I debated a bit on this. I thought about using dowels or other methods, but since the base ended up with a little twist to it I wanted it fastened to the flat table pretty well.

Finish details
legs – 2 layers of General Ebony water-base dye, 2 layers of Minwax polyshades old maple
Top – 2lb cut shellac (sanded), 1 coat of GF ebony dye (0000 steel wool to lighten and remove black dye), 2 coats minwax polyshades old maple (0000 steel wool between coats)

A couple of after thoughts:
- short aprons make for small tennons
- Crapsman TS mechanish is not very accurate for tenon work
- chisels are sharp, I have a couple of cuts and no idea when I got them
- a router jig for mortises is definitely in my future

The Mrs. and I think the proportions turned out about right. Decided not to taper the legs since they are sized the same as the exterior of the picture window.

-- Doug, woodworking in Alabama